There are some basic questions you should ask a realtor when selling or buying a home.
If you’re selling a home:
- How much experience do you have? This is a good opportunity to make sure a listing agent has experience with your situation, such as selling a condominium or co-op, helping you sell and buy another home at the same time, and so on.
- Are you certified and do you have a real estate license? The NAR and its affiliate groups have a variety of real estate certifications and designations that agents may carry.
- How are your marketing skills? You may want to make sure the agents you’re interviewing have experience getting your home marketed professionally and to the widest possible audience. This may include using social media.
- How do you like to work? Some agents work as part of a team, others solo. You should make sure your expectations about availability and speed of responses mesh with those of the agent you hire.
If you’re buying a house:
- How much experience do you have? Just like sellers may need a professional that is experienced with their specific type of transaction, you may too. For example, you may want a highly experienced realtor in a certain market of interest if you’re a first-time buyer looking in a highly competitive area where there are likely bidding wars. There are also realtors with more experience in foreclosures and short sales.
- Are you certified and do you have a real estate license? Agents can carry all types of specific certifications: some, like members of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents, may work only with buyers, for example.
- How do you like to work? Some agents work as part of a team, others solo. You should make sure you and your agent understand each other’s expectations about availability and responsiveness.
